July 17th 2024.
It seems that Arsenal is on the lookout for a new central midfielder this summer. According to reports, they may face some competition in securing their primary target, Mikel Merino, as Barcelona is also interested in signing him.
In the past two years, Arsenal has been quite active in the transfer market, even breaking their own record last year with the signing of Declan Rice for a whopping £015 million. However, it seems that this year, they may be more cautious with their spending. That's why they have set their sights on Merino, who they believe would be a more cost-effective option.
Merino, who is 28 years old, has been a key player for Real Sociedad in recent seasons and has gained recognition for his solid performances during Spain's successful Euro 2024 campaign. He even scored the winning goal in the quarter-final against Germany. With the departure of Mohamed Elneny and uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey's future, Arsenal is eager to strengthen their midfield.
Although Jorginho recently signed a new contract and teenager Ethan Nwaneri is expected to have a more prominent role in the first team this season, Arsenal could be in trouble if Rice gets injured. That's why Merino is a top priority for them. Manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big fan of the Spanish midfielder, but he's not the only one. New Barcelona boss Hansi Flick also holds Merino in high regard, according to Relovo.
Barcelona is also in the market for a central midfielder and has their sights set on Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. However, their financial situation may prevent them from making a move for him at this time. Like Arsenal, they also see Merino as a more realistic option, especially since he only has one year left on his contract.
It remains to be seen who will win the race for Merino's signature, but Arsenal is determined to secure him as their new midfielder. Keep an eye on the latest news and analysis for any updates on this exciting transfer.
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